I finally got all of my stuff together to start reloading. Now I need a bench to do it at. At first I was just going to buy a work bench but now I want to build my own. My press is a Lee Classic Turret. Does anybody have any dimensions or pictures of some nice reloading benches? I was thinking of maybe doing it in a corner that way one side can be my reloading station and the other side can just be a work bench where I can clean and work on my guns. All help is appreciated.

EL_NinO619

10-11-2010, 13:31

In the book abc's of reloading they have a nice bench blueprint. I will try to scan it for you. But i am sure you can google and find a good plan for one. Let me know

Bello

10-11-2010, 14:11

ya i believe you can just google nrma bench plans and it will come up

The Machinist

10-11-2010, 14:21

I used these plans. (http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2008/11/free-reloading-bench-plans/)

Mind you, I'm a machinist, not a carpenter, and there was nothing level or square about this beast! I needed 5/8 shims under both front legs to level the table! But she's all done now, and serves me well. When I have a bigger place, I intend to stat from scratch. :supergrin:

http://i56.tinypic.com/2jbp9g8.jpg

shotgunred

10-11-2010, 15:52

I made mine 2 foot by 4 foot. It is to small! But I had a top that size so that is what I went with. Make it as big as you have room for, belive me you will fill it up. My new bench is going to be 2' by 8'.

These are the old standard.
http://www.shotgunsportsmagazine.com/downloads/bench_plans.pdf

Milltown

10-11-2010, 16:01

You don't need anything fancy, even my carpenter friend made his pretty simply. Build it big enough to have some kind of shelving unit on it. This is the one at my house, I didn't build it, it came with a bunch of reloading equipment that we bought. It has a hardwood flooring on it, so it is pretty custom.

24"'x8' is a good size and easy to construct from a single sheet of plywood, rendering both the top and a shelf below. That was my design and it works well. Better still would be one that is 30" deep, especially if you plan to add shelving or shallow cabinets on top of the bench. I didn't want to waste two sheets of plywood.

Further, you could make the top a double layer of plywood. From two sheets of plywood, cut your 30" top and shelf. Then use the two 18" scraps to make the bottom layer of the top, then cap it with the 30" final layer. That would also provide a lot of strength. Use drywall screws for fastening, and maybe reinforce with construction glue.

LarryD1130

10-11-2010, 18:44

Now I'm thinking about just buying a work bench.

Colorado4Wheel

10-11-2010, 19:10

My advice is to not just do the simple. Ergonomics of the bench is the most important thing in the process. You need to think about seating vs standing. You need to think about how you are going to interact with the press while using it. I actually liked loading with a LCT seated. But only because I could get my legs under the table. Standing you would need the press much higher. 48" or so. With a stool you may be around 42". I suggest mounting the press to a board and trying to opperate it in those different locations. Then decide what you like. I never did that before I committed to a seated setup with my 550. That was a mistake. A LCT is kinda in the middle. I am not sure if I would prefer seated or standing with that press. My guess is I would prefer using it from standing as well. LCT I had was mounted to a 1" board that was clamped to my table. Then I could move it around.

ryanm

10-11-2010, 19:36

I've been working on it. Still got to finish the top and the legs.
http://www.dcdatasolutions.com/images/loadingbench/loadingbench.jpg